The Valley Catholic October 24, 2017 | Page 6

6 COMMUNITY October 24, 2017 | The Valley Catholic Giving Thanks for our Priests By Theresa Rieve I remember a story told by the par- ish priest in a small town in northern California. He apologized in advance if he seemed tired at the Sunday morn- ing Mass. He was responsible for two churches and was also covering a third parish for the pastor who was in the hospital recovering from a health cri- sis. He had spent the prior day driving from parish to parish, saying Mass and handling business in each, returning to his home parish in time to fall into bed, exhausted –only to be awakened at 2 a.m. The hospital was calling – someone was asking for a priest. He jumped out of bed, threw some clothes on, collected the necessary items for the Anointing of the Sick, and rushed off. He arrived at the appropriate hospital room, only to fi nd the patient sitting up in bed – certainly not what he had expected. He asked her if she was the one who was asking for a priest. She was. He then asked, “Do you want to receive Communion?” She said, “Oh, no Father, I’m a Lutheran.” He was puzzled, wondering why she had called. She said, “I just needed someone to talk to, and I knew that Catholic priests are the only people who will come out in the middle of the night when a call comes in that they are needed.” Few, if any, Catholics would call a priest in the middle of the night “just to talk.” We realize that their ministry is to the entire community, and that they must go where they are most needed. (And that when we are the one in need, a priest will be there). We are always grateful for their min- istry, but often forget to say so. That is why we have World Priest Day. World Priest Day (WPD) is a celebration and affi rmation of the men who commit their lives to the Lord and the Church via the Sacrament of Holy Orders. We invite you to pray with us for our priests and the gift that they are to us – faithfully serving us by providing the Sacraments, spiritual guidance, education, and love as a daily gift. This can be as simple as sending a special card or making phone calls to express your appreciation. Take the time to For some, sup